DOB Issues Vacate Order for Doomed Federal Row House on Grand Street
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The empty Federal-style row house at 355 Grand Street was further condemned to death this week by order of the city. On Tuesday, the Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order on the premises after the FDNY requested an inspection of the premises. Inspectors deemed the structure unsafe because the “roof has been removed leaving entire structured exposed.”
That much is actually painted on the weathered canopy fabric left by Flowers Cafe (“no roof on building”).
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Not that any of this matters, anyway. The 200-year-old building was abandoned, and already has a death warrant (i.e. the demolition permit issued back in February). Gone also are the commercial businesses that previously operated here – Flowers Cafe and the Vic’s Pizza (45 years on Essex Street), both victims in the last year.
As previously reported, nascent owner Interboro Properties, who purchased 355 Grand Street for $4 million in 2014, is planning a residential resurrection for the property. The proposed mixed-use replacement building will rise six stories, and likely serve the interests of the 1-percent. The still-pending proposal includes 4,578 square-feet split between two enormous triplex units; 1,958 square-feet of retail on the ground floor. Approval is still way on the horizon, though.
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